Disabled? Yes and No

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I am disabled and then again no

Hi. I am Grace Eagle Reed and I am the host for Disability Awareness. My guest and I broadcast on the 4th Monday of the month at 11am. I am 70 years old and have MS (Multiple Sclerosis). I have had MS since age 35 so have been disabled for a long time. I am a survivor in a way as my condition is in remittance for now. All I have to do to activate it is get overworked, stressed, overly anxious, overly weary, etc. Kinds funny really as there is 'incoming' stress all the time. Because I am disabled I am also low income and when my buggy broke down at the tune of $500 that was stress! The point is that I have had to learn how to feed into my disability when appropriate and when to just ignore that which is not that important. In other words I have learned a great deal about detachment with wisdom. And I have learned how to trust in the 'Source', trust in the process and know that not for a second am I left to myself---Faith that keeps me knowing that while my body is disabled---my mind and spirit is not. And for that I am grateful. Hey catch the show. http://www.negotiatingshadows.com

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Hi---It took me a long time to accept my older self---I would be 'hot' if I were not so disabled or at least that is what I imagine about myself---I am hot spiritualy though and that is what really counts in the end. I am so grateful to be this now 71+ year old lady wheeling around in a scooter, really active in the community doing volunteer work---working with homeless, addicts, contributing to various efforts. Lately I had a diagnosis of eye problems---it's an MS related thing. My optic nerves are cupping little by little and I could be going blind if the nerves cupp. Blindness scares the bee-gees out of me and it should. But I am amazed at how handicapped/disabled people face all sorts of challenges that are downright fear inducing and how they deal with those challenges with dignity, grace, courage and I suppose faith. My memory is of my young self but now I am in my old suit and doing pretty ok considering---and I am grateful to KBOO for giving me the opportunity to broadcast the show Disability Awareness---gotta love KBOO! Anyway tune in, be my guest if you can, and enjoy whatever place you are at in your life. 

Hi---I have been too ill to make it to my show for the last few weeks. I am still not used to being this limited and I am looking for ways to step into my present life---stepping into my old suit for you see inside me I am still that vital 21---well 35 year old that traveled the world with a peace message. Transportation is a big problem for me. I am in the process of stepping up, changing what I can, taking courage to be the me I am today, honoring my not so handicapped self and---well much to do if I am to be the wonderful person who still wants to make a difference in the world. I do have great guest lined up for my Disability Awareness show for Jan. so hang in with me, pray for---no with me---and perhaps I can make a difference still before I take that final dirt bath (humor). Something I have discovered over the last 70+ years---things change, people change, life can be a hard place, life 101 is what it is, and attitude makes a difference between success or failure---and failure is ok if it is not taken so seriously. Anyway contact me if you feel for it and I will see you on the radio soon. Happy Holidays all. Grace

My show deals with people who are disabled or handicapped and organizations that support them. But every so often I want to address what to do when a whole community is handicapped/disabled. One of these isues would be problems with police action, a popular subject in Portland. Other subjects are prejudice issues---subtle black and white interaction is definately alive and well in US and of course in Portland. Homelessness issues are some things I have addressed and sex trafficking too.&nbsp;The best way to deal with being disabled/handicapped is to research ways to overcome the disability if possible and if the situation is permanent then acceptance is a go to---perhaps. Grieving loss is appropriate as long as grieving does not collapse into a &#39;pity pot&#39; mentality which strips Nobility of the person and the community one lives in.&nbsp;Addiction is classified as mental illness and active addicts do impact communities. &nbsp;The best book dealing with this subject is an older one published in 1987---When Society Becomes an Adddit&#39; by Anne Wilson Schaef. Anyway I hope anyone reading this will comment and please catch the show the 4th Monday of every month at 11am and consider calling in if possible.&nbsp;<br />